Jets draw as jinx continues

Newcastle Jets could not quite break a five-year hoodoo at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, coming from behind to wrestle a draw from the Phoenix on Sunday.

The Phoenix looked a different team to the outfit that rolled over 7-1 to Sydney FC last week.

Louis Fenton's first-half goal for Wellington was negated on 72 minutes by Emile Heskey's header from a free-kick after Tony Lochhead fouled James Virgili.

It's been five years since the Jets' first and only win over the Phoenix in Wellington, and they came close to stealing victory despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men.

Samuel Gallaway received his second yellow after fouling Tyler Boyd on the edge of the box, then the Phoenix lost Lochhead on 71 minutes when he collected a second yellow for fouling Virgili.

The Phoenix's speed down the flanks set up their only goal after 21 minutes, when striker Paul Ifill, starting in his second game back after a month off due to ankle surgery, latched onto Ben Sigmund's well-placed long ball.

Ifill sent in a sweet cross-field ball ,which ricocheted first off Dani Sanchez, then Jets keeper Mark Birighitti before Fenton bundled home. The Jets hadn't conceded a goal in their last three matches, but they struggled to contain Ifill.

AAP

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/jets-draw-as-jinx-continues-20130127-2df0e.html